WATCH: Vhong's girlfriend at Deniece's arraignment

ABS-CBN News

Cedric, Zimmer, Deniece plead not guilty to grave coercion

MANILA - Vhong Navarro and his girlfriend, Tanya Bautista, arrived hand-in-hand at the Taguig Metropolitan Trial Court (MTC) Thursday morning for the arraignment of the seven charged with grave coercion in connection with the January 22 mauling of the actor.

Cornejo and co-accused Bernice Lee, who both pleaded not guilty to the criminal offense, arrived at the Taguig court at 9 a.m., only minutes before Navarro and Bautista.

At 9:15 a.m., the long-time couple were seen leaving the Taguig MTC, with Cornejo emerging from the main entrance with Philippine National Police personnel five minutes later.

Cedric Lee and Simeon "Zimmer" Raz, Jr., Cornejo's co-accused, also pleaded not guilty to grave coercion at around 12:20 p.m., hours after the arraignment's original schedule.

In Navarro's most recent interview discussing Bautista, the "It's Showtime" co-host said the controversial incident in January strengthened their relationship.

In the weeks following the mauling, an emotional Navarro apologized repeatedly to Bautista for agreeing to meet Cornejo, who alleged that the attack on the actor was provoked by him sexually assaulting her at her condominium unit.

The Department of Justice has since junked Cornejo's rape complaint.

Navarro, whose previous marriage with Bianca Lapus was annulled in 2010, added that he has made a conscious effort to assure Bautista of his being a faithful partner, following the controversy.